UPPER ELKHORN NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
February 28, 2008 -- 2:30 P.M.
CALL
TO ORDER, STATEMENT OF ADVERTISEMENT AND OPEN MEETING LAW NOTIFICATION:
The
regular meeting of the Board of Directors was called to order at 2:40 P.M. by
Chairman Dale Wiles.
DIRECTORS
PRESENT:
Jerry
Childers
James Dvorak
Gregg
Felker
Curtis Gotschall
Reg Green
Jim
Keller
Roy Stewart
Dale Wiles
DIRECTORS
ABSENT:
Chris
Dierks
Jerry Heithoff
Ted Hughes
Tim Knuth
Janet
Koinzan
Jeff
Krebs
Mike Russman
STAFF
PRESENT:
Dennis
Schueth, General Manager
Tylr
Naprstek, Water Resources Manager
Beth
Walsh, Information & Education Coordinator
GUESTS
PRESENT:
Jerry
Kovarik – NRCS – O’Neill
ADOPTION
OF AGENDA:
]It
was moved by Jim Keller and seconded by Jerry Childers to adopt the agenda.
AYE: Childers,
Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Keller, Stewart &Wiles.
NAY: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: Dierks, Heithoff, Hughes, Knuth, Koinzan, Krebs &
Russman. MOTION CARRIED.
MINUTES:
The
minutes of the January Meeting were reviewed by the Directors.
]
It was moved by Roy Stewart and seconded by Jim Keller to approve the minutes of
the January Meeting. AYE:
Childers, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Keller, Stewart &Wiles.
NAY: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: Dierks, Heithoff, Hughes, Knuth, Koinzan, Krebs &
Russman. MOTION CARRIED.
TREASURERS
REPORT:
The
January treasurers report was reviewed by the Directors.
]It
was moved by Jerry Childers and seconded by Reg Green to approve the January
Treasurers Report. AYE:
Childers, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Keller, Stewart &Wiles.
NAY: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: Dierks, Heithoff, Hughes, Knuth, Koinzan, Krebs &
Russman. MOTION CARRIED.
FEBRUARY 6 – SPECIAL BOARD MEETING,
LINCOLN – DNR, NIOBRARA RIVER DESIGNATION:
This
meeting was cancelled. No quorum.
PUBLIC FORUM:
No
public business was brought before the UENRD Board.
UNL – BILL KRANZ & CHARLES SHAPIRO – STUDY
PROJECT UPDATE:
This
update had to be rescheduled.
AGENCY
& STAFF REPORTS:
NARD
Report: This information was
highlighted in Dennis and Beth’s report.
A handout of the Legislative Actions taken by the Association was also
distributed. Dennis Schueth
reported on the testimony given by he and Tylr Naprstek regarding LB 924 and LB
801 Amendment 1629 respectively. Dennis
gave testimony supporting Senator Fischer’s bill LB 924 which addressed gains
to a stream, flood control structures, requiring NRD’s and the NGPC to work
together on instream flow applications, the review of existing water
appropriations prior to a basin being designated by DNR and clarifying
applicable state and federal laws. Tylr
presented neutral testimony on LB 801; however, opposed Senator Loudens
amendment 1629, which would require flowmeters on wells that pump greater then
50 gpm. Senator Louden seemed very offended by those testifying
against his amendment and he was very critical and somewhat demeaning of those
organizations. A letter has been
drafted regarding his comments and is being reviewed for possible submission to
Senator Louden and the Natural Resources Committee.
DNR
Report: No
Report.
NRCS
Report: Jerry
Kovarik’s report was mailed to the Directors.
Jerry reported on the death of Jerry Hardy SCT from Ainsworth, he had
been battling cancer. Jerry also
reported on the EQIP program and the funding received for the UENRD; the new
assistant state conservationist, Juan Carlos Hernandez, to replace Marvin Brown;
and, the new continuous CRP program, State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement.
RC&D
Report:
North Central RC&D:
Information included in the Directors folders.
Loup Basin RC&D:
No Report.
Northeast RC&D:
No Report.
Information
& Education Report: Beth
Walsh’s report was mailed out in the Directors packets.
Beth reported that the Northeast Regional Envirothon was held Monday
February 25 in Norfolk. She passed out the unofficial results and explained that
there is still one team left to participate in the region. Once they have completed the tests results will be sent out
and the regional winner will be named.
Water
Resources Report:
Tylr Naprstek’s report was mailed out in the Directors packets.
Tylr reported that he has received an acceptance letter from the
Environmental Trust regarding the grant he submitted for cost share on
flowmeters. The grant is for
$35,000 for three years. Tylr also
reported on the well permits and the teleconference he will be attending
regarding the Hong Chen study.
EBVC
Update: Dennis
Schueth reported that the East Branch Verdigre Creek Project has received
another Environmental Trust grant for $45,000 to continue promoting best
management practices within the watershed.
ELM
Update: The next meeting is scheduled for March 18.
Steve Peterson has also been invited to attend a board meeting to update
the Directors on the project.
EXCUSED
ABSENCES:
]It
was moved by Jerry Childers and seconded by Jim Keller to excuse the absence of
Chris Dierks, Jerry Heithoff, Ted Hughes, Tim Knuth, Janet Koinzan, Jeff Krebs
& Mike Russman. AYE:
Childers, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Keller, Stewart &Wiles.
NAY: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: Dierks, Heithoff, Hughes, Knuth, Koinzan, Krebs &
Russman. MOTION CARRIED.
COMMITTEE
REPORTS:
Legislative,
Finance and Planning:
Action
on Current bills and Cost Share Requests: The
Committee met prior to the Board meeting. The
Committee reviewed the current bills and cost share applications.
]It
was moved by Reg Green and seconded by Curtis Gotschall to approve the current
bills for payment. AYE:
Childers, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Keller, Stewart &Wiles.
NAY: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: Dierks, Heithoff, Hughes, Knuth, Koinzan, Krebs &
Russman. MOTION CARRIED.
The Committee
also reviewed the cost share requests. ]It
was moved by Reg Green and seconded by Roy Stewart to approve the cost share
applications. AYE:
Childers, Dvorak, Felker, Gotschall, Green, Keller, Stewart &Wiles.
NAY: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: Dierks, Heithoff, Hughes, Knuth, Koinzan, Krebs &
Russman. MOTION CARRIED.
Water
Resources & Watershed:
The
Committee met prior to the Board meeting.
NRD
Mapmaker: Dale Wiles reported that
they have been discussing a mapmaking program that Tylr will continue to
research.
Water
Legislation & Niobrara Flows & Recreation (NGPC):
Dennis Schueth reported that the
district received information regarding an upcoming NGPC meeting scheduled for
March 4th. The NG&P is planning to
move ahead with recreational and instream flows on the Niobrara River as they
relate to recreation, habitat for certain fish and wildlife.
Dennis will try to attend this meeting and gather further information.
Dennis also reviewed the status of the petitions filed by the NRD’s
regarding the designation of the Niobrara River Basin.
Hopefully the 4 petitions will be consolidated and be heard by the DNR at
the same time. The NRD’s involved
in the petitions also discussed the funding for the attorney.
At this time, the group has agreed to share the attorney fees; however,
the division of expenses may be changed and based on a percentage.
February
11 Meeting, DNR-Ann Bleed:
Dennis Schueth reported that he, Tylr, Dale
Wiles, Gregg Felker, Tim Knuth and Curtis Gotschall attended the meeting with
DNR and the other Niobrara River Basin NRD’s to discuss the upcoming
development of the integrated management plans. They also discussed the possibility of initiating
moratoriums.
March
Guest Speakers:
Dennis Schueth reported that Pat O’Brien has been invited to speak to
the Directors regarding TMDL’s. This
is an issue, which needs to be addressed in regard to the Elkhorn River, and the
District will be given the opportunity to work with DEQ in the development of a
plan.
GWMP
Update-Meeting with Tina Kurtz (DNR): Dennis
Schueth reported that he and Tylr are trying to schedule a meeting with Tina
Kurtz to review potential changes in the UENRD groundwater management plan.
COALITION/TASK
FORCE UPDATE:
Nebraska Habitat Conservation Coalition (Piping
Plover): There is a meeting
scheduled for April 1.
Nebraska
Ground Water Management Protection Act Coalition:
No Report
Lower
Platte Basin Coalition: Dennis
Schueth reported that there is a meeting scheduled for March 19 with DNR and
NGPC to discuss each parties agenda, improved habitat and solutions for future
water needs.
Water
Policy Task Force: No Report.
NIOBRARA
RIVER BASIN FULY APPROPRIATED DESIGNATION – ACTION:
This
item has already been addressed.
ADMINISTRATIVE
REPORT:
Dennis
Schueth’s report was mailed out in the Director’s packets and a copy is kept
on file at the NRD office. Dennis’
report was covered under the previous agenda items.
Dennis did discuss the problem that occurred with the District Explorer
and reported that it is being repaired.
There
being no further business to come before the Board of Directors, the meeting was
adjourned at 3:47 PM.